This year's theme asks ou to “Reach!” We want to encourage you to engage and extend yourself into your neighbourhood, to reach out. You might find that doing so might increase your capacity, or your “reach”. Challenge yourself this year to reach out a little further! Read more in thE-Neighbour.
The new year and the snowy weather are upon us. Disabilities and Human Rights Group is resuming its regular activity and the next meeting is on Wednesday, January 11 at 1:30pm-3pm at 74 Frederick Street in Kitchener. Besides the continuation of the winter sidewalk safety discussion, the group will be setting priorities for 2017 and identifying further challenges in support system navigation to strengthen its capacity for advocacy. Some of the identified areas to work on are: access to information, inclusion and strong neighbourhoods, housing, transportation and mobility, health care, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Standards. The group relies on the knowledge gained through experience and works from what people can do and contribute. Everyone is welcome to join.
The Social Development Centre relies on partnerships such as the one we have forged with the City of Kitchener over the past five decades. The work being done at the Social Development Centre deals with what is important to the community and fits well with the City’s own strategic priorities. For 2017, we have asked the City of Kitchener to restore core funding to the Centre to support our social development work. Good process and fair treatment are important factors in building trust and community so it came as a surprise to our Board of Directors that we did not get any response about what we had proposed for 2017 and that our appeal was stopped and not allowed to proceed. Representatives from our Board are presenting to City Council on December 12, 2016 their concerns about the process that has unfolded. Read more about our application and the appeal process and get in touch if you have questions or concerns.
The Social Development Centre Waterloo Region is seeking a candidate who has proven capacity in managing social data and using new communication and information technologies to manage, display and share data for social planning purposes with an emphasis on: creating and testing neighbourhood level social indicators, data visualization and cloud applications. This is a 500 hour position made available through Government of Canada Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Youth Internships Program to provide career related experience to an eligible candidate 15-29 years of age who has completed at least one post secondary course and is eligible to work in Canada. Apply by 12 noon on Monday, December 19, 2016.
Learn more about Basic Income, the Finding A Better Way report and the recommendations that the Government of Ontario is considering to design a pilot project. We will discuss key points of the design of the pilot project in order to understand more and contribute to the public consultation: who to include, how to do it, where to do it and how to evaluate the outcomes. Have the conversation with your peers about this important project on Wednesday December 7, 2016 from 6:30 pm until 9 pm at the Trinity United Church Annex, 74 Frederick Street in Kitchener.
The wonderful weather we are having this Fall is delightful and rare. However, even with the warm temperatures and sunny days, the Disabilities and Human Rights Group of the Social Development Centre reminds everyone that fall is the time of year to pay particular attention to sidewalk safety.
Sidewalks can be dangerous places for those who experience any degree or type of mobility challenge, be it balance or strength, using a walker or other mobility device or having a sensory limitation such as a visual impairment. A safety assessment checklist was created last year has been updated this November. Share with your neighbours, friends and family.
If you value the work we do in the community, come to the first Advocacy Training Workshop to learn more about the importance of good message building on November 18 at 6pm - 9pm. In order to support our campaign to regain core funding from the City of Kitchener, we invite you to help shape the Story of 'Us' and Story of 'Now' regarding the social development initiatives we worked on together.
Festival of Neighbourhoods 2015/2016 season registered 170 inclusive activities from 54 neighbourhoods (see the 2016 Map). We wish to congratulate all the Award Winners at the 23rd Festival Finale and to express our gratitude to all the Award Sponsors, as well as all the neighbouhrood leaders, volunteers and champions for making the past season a wonderful experience for everyone. Find out who won the awards in thE-Neighobur and expect the announcement of this season's theme soon!
Two public meetings are being scheduled to support the feasibility study done by the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo to determine if and where the pedestrian crossing over the LRT tracks in Traynor-Vanier could be constructed. The City of Kitchener staff has consulted the KW Tenant Group and Social Development Centre regarding the first meeting coming up in November to introduce the study, assess the context, present evaluation criteria and outline high level crossing options. (Photo taken by Innah Gaspar)
The October 12th community discussion about the National Housing Strategy mirrored the summary of points compiled from previous work done by the Social Development Centre on affordable, safe and accessible housing. It highlights the consistency of concerns that exist in Waterloo Region: housing is more than a physical building; it enables social and community life; supportive, affordable and accessible housing are core housing needs; alternate models for housing types and financing to be offered, thinking both rural and urban needs; upgrade regulations and enforcement of property standards with rental housnig; and always plan with those who need affordable and accessible housing. Read the full submission to the Ministry of Families, Children and Social Development.
